Japanese pitcher fools runner with a devastating pickoff move

Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Kenjiro Tanaka unleashed one of the best pickoff moves you’ll ever see to nab Yomiuri Giants outfielder Takahiro Suzuki at first base. In a few split seconds, Tanaka turns his head from first base back to the catcher and begins his leg kick, then fluidly rotates his body and fires a strike to the first baseman.

Suzuki never had a chance. Tanaka, who pitched two innings in relief, picked up the win in Game 3 to eliminate the Giants from the NPB playoffs. The BayStars now advance to Stage 2 of the Climax Series to play the Hiroshima Carp.